The dynamism of investment law was channelled through international institutions to a greater extent in 2017 than ever before. For decades, investment law has been defined by its decentralization—by the absence of an institutional hub for multilateral deliberations—and by the difficulty of...

This paper provides a brief overview of recent UNCTAD research on the nexus between international investment treaties and sustainable development. After sketching the historic evolution and current trends in IIA treaty practice, it explores the linkages between IIAs and three areas of public...

Modern BITs habitually begin with a preamble, whereupon basic concepts such as what constitutes an investment and an investor for the purpose of the treaty are somewhat defined. The effectiveness and manner in which BITs pursue their objectives are remarkably uniformed, thanks to their vigorous...